An Air Peace flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to Lagos was forced to make an emergency stop just before takeoff on Thursday morning, sending passengers into a state of panic.
The incident occurred around 6:30 am, as the aircraft unexpectedly halted on the runway, leaving some passengers visibly shaken, with a few reportedly screaming in fear. Thankfully, the situation did not escalate further, and no one was injured.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who was onboard, shared details of the experience on his Facebook page.
According to him, the pilot explained that the emergency stop was caused by a bird strike. Effiong emphasised the tension in the cabin, acknowledging that the incident could have been far worse had it occurred after takeoff.
“We were all deboarded to wait for a replacement or repair of the plane,” Effiong said in his post. “Thankfully, this happened before we took off; otherwise, it would have been even more terrifying.”
Effiong also raised concerns about the lack of bird detection technology at the airport’s domestic terminal, questioning whether the airport was equipped with radar to detect such hazards.
Following the disruption, Air Peace promptly swapped out the faulty aircraft, and passengers were reboarded onto a new plane.
Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications for Air Peace, confirmed the bird strike incident and explained that the flight’s return to the ramp was a necessary safety measure.
“We ensured that all passengers disembarked safely,” Ndiulo said.
“A replacement aircraft was provided to minimise delays, and we continued the journey as soon as possible.”
Air Peace reassured passengers that their commitment to safe and reliable air travel remained a top priority, and the airline expressed gratitude for the understanding of those affected by the disruption.
